Study is the primary role of the student. This challenging task requires motivation, planning, and the ability to analyze and apply the information being taught. The process of student learning in a distance education setting is more complex for several reasons:

• Many distance-education students are older, have jobs, and families. They have to organize the different areas of their lives which influence each other, their families, jobs, spare time, and studies.

• Distant students have a variety of reasons for taking courses. Many students are interested in gaining a degree to qualify for a better job. Some take courses to broaden their education and are not really interested in completing a degree.

• The learner in distance education is usually isolated. The motivations arising from the contact or competition with other students is absent. Also the student requires the immediate support of a teacher who is present and able to motivate and, if necessary, give attention to actual needs and difficulties that crop up during study.

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